Cheryl Hadland Calls for a More Inclusive School and Nursery Milk Scheme at Parliament

Tops Day Nurseries Founder and Managing Director Cheryl Hadland attended the School and Nursery Milk Alliance (SNMA) parliamentary reception on 10 March 2026, helping champion a more inclusive future for children’s nutrition in early years settings.

Held at the Houses of Parliament and hosted by Bob Blackman MP, the event celebrated the long-standing role of school and nursery milk in supporting children’s health and the UK dairy sector. But alongside recognising the scheme’s history, there was a clear and urgent conversation about why it now needs to evolve.

For Cheryl and many others in attendance, the message was simple: every child deserves to feel included at milk time.

Why the School and Nursery Milk Scheme Matters

The school milk scheme has played an important role in children’s nutrition for generations.

Originally introduced to improve childhood health while supporting British dairy farmers, it helped ensure children had access to calcium and key nutrients during the school day. For many, milk time remains a familiar and valued part of nursery and school routines.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we know daily routines like snack and milk time are about much more than food and drink. They create moments of connection, belonging and shared learning.

But children’s dietary needs have changed significantly since the scheme first began, and many families are now asking whether current provision truly reflects modern childhood nutrition.

The Growing Need for Nursery Milk Alternatives

One of the key themes discussed at the reception was the increasing number of children who cannot safely or comfortably drink dairy milk.

Recent figures from Allergy UK show:

• 2–3% of children are allergic to dairy milk
• 10% of children are lactose intolerant

That means a significant number of children may be unable to take part in milk time if dairy milk is the only option available.

For children in nursery and early years settings, this can have a real impact.

Being left out of a shared routine, even something as everyday as having a drink with friends, can affect confidence, wellbeing and a child’s sense of belonging.

At Tops Day Nurseries, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and that includes supporting children with allergies, intolerances and dietary preferences in a way that feels natural and positive.

The Wider Impact on Children’s Health

The conversation around milk provision isn’t only about convenience, it also connects to wider public health.

BUPA estimates that allergies cost the NHS £1 billion every year, making the UK’s allergy burden one of the highest in the world.

When children’s dietary needs aren’t recognised early and supported well, it can place additional strain on healthcare services and create unnecessary stress for families.

This is why early years nutrition matters so deeply.

Creating inclusive routines from the start helps children feel safe, supported and confident around food and drink, while also helping nurseries and schools better meet individual needs.

Only 11% of Children Are Currently Offered School Milk

Despite the scheme’s long history, uptake remains surprisingly low.

According to the Food Standards Agency, only 11% of children are currently offered school milk.

That raises important questions:

• Is the current scheme reaching the children it was designed to support?
• Does it reflect the dietary diversity of today’s children?
• And how can schools and nurseries make milk provision more inclusive?

Across Scotland and Wales, fortified alternatives such as oat and soya milk are already being supported and funded.

England now has an opportunity to review its approach and ensure every child can participate equally.

Cheryl Hadland: “We Need a System That Supports Every Child”

Speaking after the parliamentary reception, Cheryl Hadland said:

“When children with allergies or intolerances are left out of shared routines, it affects their sense of belonging. We need a system that supports every child, not just most children.”

She added:

“Educators are already working hard to create inclusive environments. Updating the school milk scheme to offer suitable alternatives would support that work and ensure no child is left behind.”

This reflects what our colleagues see every day across Tops Day Nurseries: children thrive when they feel included, supported and able to take part confidently in nursery life.

Looking Ahead: A More Inclusive Future for Early Years Nutrition

The School and Nursery Milk Alliance reception ended with a shared commitment from educators, policymakers and health advocates to modernise milk provision so it better reflects children’s needs today.

That doesn’t mean removing dairy milk.

For many children, dairy remains an important nutritional option.

But it does mean recognising that inclusion matters, and ensuring children with allergies or intolerances have suitable alternatives available without feeling singled out.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe every child deserves:

1. Safe and supportive daily routines
2. Nutritious options that meet their needs
3. An environment where they feel included and valued
4. Early years experiences that build confidence and wellbeing

Because when children feel they belong, they thrive.

And creating inclusive nursery environments, right down to everyday routines like milk time, is one of the many ways we help every child feel supported from the very start.

Learn more about Tops Day Nurseries and our commitment to inclusive childcare and sustainability: Tops Day Nurseries